Why Make This Recipe

General Tso’s Chicken is a flavorful dish that combines crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce. It’s a popular choice in many Chinese restaurants, making it a favorite for takeout. However, making it at home gives you the chance to adjust the flavors and ingredients to your liking. Plus, it’s a fun dish to prepare and share with family and friends!

How to Make General Tso’s Chicken

Ingredients

3-4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup hoisin sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tsp. cornstarch

Directions

In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground ginger, red pepper flakes, and 2 tsp. cornstarch. Set this sauce aside.
In a large ziplock bag, combine the flour, 3/4 cup cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Shake the bag well to mix the ingredients.
In a medium size mixing bowl, add the cubed chicken and beaten egg whites. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly in the egg whites.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
Using a large slotted spoon, scoop up some chicken pieces, allowing any excess egg whites to drip off, and drop them into the ziplock bag. Shake the bag until the chicken is evenly coated.
Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches. Avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the fried chicken and place it on a sheet pan lined with paper towels.
After all the chicken is fried, wipe the skillet with a paper towel to remove any excess oil. Pour the sauce into the skillet and let it simmer until it starts to thicken.
Add the fried chicken to the skillet and toss to coat all the chicken evenly in the sauce.
Serve immediately with white or brown rice and garnish with chopped green onions.

How to Serve General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken is best served hot. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice. Adding a sprinkle of green onions on top adds a pop of color and freshness to your plate. You might also enjoy it with steamed broccoli or a side of egg rolls for a complete meal.

How to Store General Tso’s Chicken

To store General Tso’s Chicken, let it cool completely. Place the chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It should stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Tips to Make General Tso’s Chicken

Ensure the oil is hot before frying the chicken to help it stay crispy.
Fry the chicken in small batches to avoid steaming and ensure even cooking.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the sauce based on your heat preference.
For an extra crispy texture, double coat the chicken in egg whites and the flour-cornstarch mix.

Variation

You can switch up the protein and use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for a different twist. Additionally, feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas to the dish for more color and nutrition.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just make sure to fully thaw it and pat it dry before cutting and coating.

2. Is General Tso’s Chicken healthy?
While General Tso’s Chicken can be high in sugar and fat, you can make it healthier by reducing the sugar in the sauce and using less oil when frying.

3. Can I make General Tso’s Chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them separately. Fry the chicken and mix it with the sauce just before serving for the best texture.